President of Üsküdar University Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan attended the online seminar on "Youth in the Age of Artificial Intelligence" organized by Diyarbakır Dicle University Ziya Gökalp Faculty of Education. Tarhan drew attention to how family, teacher and child communication should be in the digital generation. Stating that artificial intelligence will be beneficial when used for the right purposes, Tarhan emphasized that artificial intelligence should be its subject, not its object. He said that it is important to establish emotional bonds with children instead of interests, so that a relationship of trust can be established.
The online seminar was attended by Prof. Şengül Kocaman, Dean of Ziya Gökalp Faculty of Education, vice deans, faculty members and students.
"Artificial intelligence is a serious field of discovery"
Stating that artificial intelligence has provided a serious transformation, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said that "Artificial intelligence was actually dormant until 2018. Its history goes back 40-50 years, but it was not very active until then. In 2018, a serious initiative was made in Davos on this issue. Previously, the Blue Brain Project started in Switzerland in the 2000s. That was also a very important step. It was a project based on brains, computers and genetic algorithms. In other words, the study of neural networks began there. We were following it closely at that time. Because when our topic was brain and behavior, it was very much in line with our thematic field. In fact, in 2013, as Üsküdar University, we organized a Science and Ideas Festival with the theme of 'Artificial Intelligence'. At that time, we also established a laboratory on the brain-computer interface. Therefore, the developments in this area did not come as a surprise to us. Artificial intelligence is currently providing a transformation similar to the change created by the printing press or electricity in human history. It's a revolution. Artificial intelligence is a serious field of discovery. That's why opposing artificial intelligence, resisting digitalization, is like trying to stand against a flood of currents. In such a situation, smart people, instead of resisting the flood, hold on to a log and find their direction. Instead of complaining, he reaches his goal by holding on to that log."
"Our feelings and thoughts have come within the range of artificial intelligence"
Saying that artificial intelligence is a big system, Tarhan said that "We have codes in our DNA. Our nervous system in the brain also works according to these codes. In fact, it is these passwords that govern us. DNA determines our behavioral limits, our personality, what and how much we eat, drink, and physiology. Even in the smallest cell, this DNA is present. In fact, there is more than 50 percent similarity between algae and human DNA. We are talking about such an incredible structure. DNA is a perfect system in its own right. It is impossible for it to have come into being by chance. There is a large design in the background. Artificial intelligence has revealed the truth of this design. Because if you can understand and calculate a designed system, you can imitate it and bring it to life. Now, even our feelings and thoughts have come within the range of artificial intelligence."
"If they are the object of artificial intelligence, they lose, if they are its subject, they win"
Stating that artificial intelligence will benefit when used for the right purposes, Tarhan said that "Like all technologies, artificial intelligence itself is neutral. It's just like a knife. If you use it to cut bread, it will be beneficial, but if you use it maliciously, you will cause harm. Artificial intelligence is such a tool. What matters is how we use it. If a person is smart, if he has a goal in life, if he has an ideal of surpassing himself, he will use it for the right purpose. In other words, if he is someone who works not only for his own benefit but also for greater purposes, artificial intelligence is a very powerful support for him that makes life easier, speeds things up, and increases his quality of life. It has the potential to increase the level of welfare globally. Generation X is the radio generation, Generation Y grew up with television, Generation Z is the social media generation, and Generation Alpha has opened its eyes to a world that includes social media and artificial intelligence. In other words, artificial intelligence has already become a part of our lives. That's why young people should see artificial intelligence as an opportunity, not a threat. If they become the object of artificial intelligence, they lose, if they become its subject, they win. Artificial intelligence should not manage them, they should manage artificial intelligence. That's the magic phrase. If a young person achieves this, it will make a difference."
"We must now leave behind the period of questioning artificial intelligence"
Underlining that young people should feel safe, Tarhan said that "We have great young people. Many of our young people tend to go abroad. However, in strategic areas such as the defense industry, very important work is currently being done with these young people. If we can keep these young people in the system and train them effectively on artificial intelligence and digital platforms, we will achieve great gains. In fact, good steps are being taken in this direction. We are doing well, but now we have to step up a gear. For this, young people need to feel safe and have a sense of satisfaction about their future. Because only in such an environment can they fully reveal their potential. We must now leave behind the era of questioning artificial intelligence. We should use artificial intelligence in line with our personal goals and national goals."
"If the family is torn apart, the danger begins there"
Talking about the roles of parents in the digital generation, Tarhan said; "There were norms in society that protected young people. The first was legal norms. In the past, these used to prevent evil from seeping in, but now they don't. Because the world has become an electronic village. Everything is global. The open door of the house is now the smartphone. Even in the children's room, in the bed, he is able to connect with the outside world. That is why the era of protection by law is over. The second was social norms, but they are no longer able to protect young people either. There is only one family left. Society is an ecosystem, and at the center of this ecosystem is the family, just like the belly in the wheel of a car. If that center is not solid, the system will begin to fall apart. If the family falls apart, the danger begins there. If the family is a safe haven and the child is peaceful at home, the solution is actually very easy. Here, the most important task falls on the parents. They really need to take care of their children in this digital age. Because the child is now a digital generation. They will spend time together, they will travel together. Time is the greatest gift a parent can give to a child. Collecting memories with him. If this is done, the child will also be protected from the dangers of artificial intelligence."
"We should establish an emotional bond with children, not a bond of interest"
Explaining how communication with children should be, Tarhan said that "Capitalism first makes people sick and then tries to treat them. First, he was a narcissist, and now he's trying to cure that narcissism. Because the system is focused on consumption and pleasure. It is built on the wheel of win and consume. When he put the individual at the center of the competition, he glorified narcissism. The biggest losses of this system were families, children and young people. Since 2011-2012, there has been a significant increase in narcissism rates, especially among young people. Crime rates have risen, violence and suicides have increased. Even cases of self-poisoning have increased. This picture shows that we have reached a point where serious measures need to be taken. Children are often not aware of the consequences. In other words, they do not immediately see the natural consequences of their actions. The teenagers we call Generation Z are self-centered and conformist, but they are cute. Because there is still an innocence, high expectations and a strong sense of justice in these young people. If we take into account the innocence of these young people and their expectation of justice, we can build a bridge with them. Then it is necessary to build a relationship of trust. It is very important to establish a bond of trust between mother and child, between educator and young person. For trust to be formed, the child's fears must first be eliminated. We can overcome these fears with love, compassion and compassion. We should establish an emotional bond with children, not a bond of interest. A smile, a few nice words, making him feel valuable, spending time with him is the greatest gift to be given to the child."
"Trust is formed when love and honesty are combined"
Stating that adolescents learn life by making mistakes, Tarhan said; "As long as he doesn't make a big mistake, we do not have to be afraid. Because storms are inevitable during this period. We need to give the adolescent the opportunity to get in and out of those storms. In us, the reflex to suppress and control the child immediately comes into play. Our traditional method is printing. Eastern culture is often described as a culture of fear, but it is actually a culture of oppression in these lands. The child who grows up with pressure learns to lie in self-defense at a young age. This leaves permanent traces on his personality development. Afterwards, this lying behavior becomes stereotyped and when the individual becomes an adult, it can turn into a dishonest and unreliable character. In some children, this pressure causes a protest character. He plays the opposite role, constantly opposes. That is why we must communicate not by pressure, but by persuasion, love and persuasion. Otherwise, we will lose young people. The child can recover quickly, as long as the house is a safe space. When love and honesty are combined, trust is formed. There is love, but if there is no honesty, it is not safe. A sense of justice in the family is also very important. If the child feels justice along with love, it will be a solid home for him. A child who grows up in such an environment establishes healthier bonds with life."
"Despite the speed of the age, we need to learn to be patient"
Underlining that people should have a purpose, Tarhan said; "What really motivates a person is meaning. A person with a high meaning is self-actualizing. Because if there is meaning in something, there is a purpose there. If there is a purpose, there is a need. When the need arises, the desire awakens. Thanks to the will, man takes action. If there is no meaning, nothing starts. The need does not even arise. Just like you can't force a thirsty horse to drink water. You can't make him drink water by hitting him on the head. But when he is thirsty, he seeks water himself. It is the same with young people. It's not just about giving them information. They need to feel the need for truth, for beautiful things. When they feel that need, they turn to it spontaneously. And here our task is to awaken this need. This takes time and patience. It is not an easy task, it requires patience. We now live in the age of speed. We have to accept that. Everything is desired to be fast, but raising people and creating meaning are not things that will happen quickly. It takes time and effort. Despite the speed of this age, we need to learn to be patient."
"Artificial intelligence is a tool that facilitates the decision-making process"
Emphasizing the life-facilitating effect of artificial intelligence, Tarhan said; "An important aspect of using technology in the most beneficial way is to determine how one can use digitalization and artificial intelligence, in particular, in one's own professional field. It is necessary to think about this issue and invest time, both personally and institutionally. Time, social and financial investments are important because these investments are not wasted. Such investments allow us to do our work more efficiently and faster. For example, the use of digitalization and artificial intelligence in clinical practice is very useful in the preparation stages. Artificial intelligence also plays an important role in consulting services. A person can refer to the algorithms of artificial intelligence to make sound decisions. These algorithms scan specific data and provide you with the most appropriate decisions. In other words, artificial intelligence is a tool that facilitates the decision-making process. This convenience that artificial intelligence provides to our lives makes our work easier and more efficient. As technologies improve, we will all start using these tools more. Therefore, artificial intelligence offers great opportunities for a person who wants to improve himself."
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)